Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-11-05
SYNOD OF VIRGINIA..
THIRD DAY's PROCEEDINGS OF TIE
BODY.
overtures Tho Northern and the Southern
Observation-Disclosures to Foreign
Missions
Reported for the Dispatch


business the Committee Of Review re.
ported exceptions TO the records OF
Greenbrier On al exception 10 the
action of the presbytery in authorizing
ga commission TO dissolve a church, on
the ground that the form of government
docs not allow presbytery to transfer
such authority to commission, a discus
sion arose which was participated in by
a number Of members. The exception
was stricken ont. thus approving the
action Of the presbytery, and deciding
the point that presbytery may dissolve
a church through a commission.
The Rev. DIR. Preston, from the Com
mittee on Bills and Overtures, reported
on three ovortures
No. /. From West Hanover Presbytery
asking the appointment Of committee
10 report Encouragement of the bounds
of the preSbytcries. The committee re.
ported that 1t was inexpedient to appoint
such committee, because there was no
evidence that other presbyteries than
West Hanover desired change Of
boundaries. The report was adopted
unanimously.
No. .. Resolution offered by Rev. j.
A. Preston looking 10 the removal Of
friction in the home-miSslOn work in the
border prcShyteries. This answer was
reported and adopted. Under the law of
fratcrnal relations established between
these Churches Northern and SOuthern)
1t is competent for the Presbyteries TO
make such arrangements as are contem-
plated in the overture without in
structions from the synod.
No 3. Overture from Tinkling- Spring
church, asking that the Synod of Vir-
oinia overture the General Assembly to
declare that in view of the obstacles to
organic uulOn that arise from diversity
of opinion among ourselves it is inexpc-
dent for the assembly to further con-
slider the subject.
Answer While the Synod OF Virginia
is opposed 10 any movement looking TO
the abandonment Of our separate exist
cnce as Church, and distinctly declares
that II IL the desire of the synod that
the agitation OF this subject should
cease, vet we deem It discOurteOus to
send to the assembly M overture to
this effect pending the inquiry to he
made by the a-sembly's committee.
The Rev. DIR. McllWaine moved to lay
the paper on the table, bat the motion
was lost Pending a motion of Rev
James Rawlings to strike out the first
part, which expresses the opinion OF the
synod as adverse to organic union, the
hour arrived for a special order of the
day and tho subject was postponed.
The Rev. DIR. NJ. II. Houston, secre-
tary of Foreign Missions, was then heard
in behalf of this cause. He set forth
some reasons for gratitude. The contri-
buttons TO foreign missions in the Synod
Of Virginia has increased 10 per cent,
during the past year. There was Il
growing interest 10 this cause among the
people. There is great encouragement
in the success of the work in the mission
field, and the speaker cited many facts
20 show this. Three years ago there was
nota Christian in the city of KOCH, Japan.
Now there is a Presbytheran church of
three hundred members. I'm China our
missionaries are making an advance to
occupy new ground in a populous city
Tsinkmngpu. In Greece our work IS on
more economical basis, and is making
gratifying progress. In Mexico Rev.
Mr. Graybill will move two hundred
miles towards the interior TO superintend
the growing mission work there. So,
also. in both Northern and Southern Bra
zil cheering advances have been made.
Yet what the Church is doing for this
cause is not satisfactory. The contribu-
tiou, OF our Church average only fifty
sxcents per member those of the Synod
Of Virginia sixty.four cents, whilst the
natives OF South-Sca island, Aneityum,
converted to Christianity, contribute TO
foreign missions 81 per member.
DR.. Houston thought there was want
Of prayer for this cause, foreign mis-
sions being often not mentioned in the
public prayers in the pulpit. He would
urge tic injunction that FIRST Of alt
prayers aud supplications he made for all
men. In the Lords Prayer " Hal
lowed De thy name is Immediately
followed 10y the petition Thy king
dom come Earnest prayer will he
followed 10y diffusion Of feryent mis-
siouary spirit.
The speaker gave many important
facts and touching incidents showing the
self denying conservation of mission
aries, and setting forth III striking light
the eleyating power Of the Gospel in
Transforming sayages into civilized
Christians.
Charles Darwin, having visited Terra
del FueRo, described the inhabitants as
the most degraded on the face of the
rartL-very like the devils he was ac-
customed to see introduced on the Ger
man stage and beyond all hope OF civ
ilization. When he learned what the
Gospel afterwards had done for their ele-
walton this unbeliever sent a donation
TO the missionary society, the labors of
whose missionaries had resulted in this
marvellous change
This able, instructive, and touching
address was heard with the deepest In
terest by the synod and on the call Of
the Moderator the Rev. DR.. Hoge led
the body in fervent prayer.
The following paper was then offered
bvDr Mcnwaine and adopted: Synod
has heard with great interest the address
of the secretary of foreign missions, and
earnestly exhorts the presbyteries and
churches under its charge to renewed ef-
iJrts in behalf of this Important object.
synod calls the attention OF presbytcries
90 the suggestion OF the secretary in re.
gard to concurrent mission meetings
throughout our entire bounds, with the
view Of intensfying and extending the
interest Of Gods people in this great
matter.
The next order-the consideration of
thc report presented yesterday by DR..
Hall On the subject Of the evangelical
ton Of tie colored peoplc-was takenup,
aud addresses showing very deep in
tcrest in this work were made by DIR. w.
I Hall, Dr. William Brown, DIR. f. G.
GoTdon, Rev. i. L. Ramsay, Ruling
Elder Harper W. NJ. McPheeteIs, DR.
" I. Richardson, DIR. X. Mcllwaine,
Judge Isaac Christian, and DIR. W. U.
Murklaul
DR. ". +. Richardson in his speech